Part 8 (2/2)
”Caleb,” said Mr. Fogo from his hammock in the back kitchen at about eleven o'clock on the same night.
”Aye, aye, sir.”
”Are you comfortable?”
”Thank'ee, sir, gettin' on nicely. Just a bit Man-Fridayish to begin wi', but as corrat as Crocker's mare.”
”What did you say?”
”Figger o' speech agen, sir, that's all. Good-night, sir.”
”Good-night, Caleb.”
Mr. Fogo settled himself in his hammock, sighed for a second time and dropped asleep.
CHAPTER VI.
HOW CERTAIN TROJANS CLIMBED A WALL OUT OF CURIOSITY; AND OF A CHARWOMAN THAT COULD GIVE NO INFORMATION.
Meanwhile, curiosity in Troy was beating its wings against the closed doors of ”The Bower.” The early morning train next day brought three domestics to supplement the youth in b.u.t.tons, and supplant the charwoman. Miss Limpenny, in _deshabille_ (but at a decent distance from the window), saw them arrive, and called Lavinia to look, with the result that within two minutes the sisters had satisfied themselves as to which was the cook, which the parlour-maid, and which the kitchen-maid.
Later in the day, a van-load of furniture arrived, though ”The Bower”
was already furnished; but, as Miss Limpenny said, in all these matters of comfort and refinement, ”there are degrees.” On this occasion the Admiral, who had been prevailed upon to leave his bed, executed a manoeuvre the audacity of which should have commanded success.
He crossed the road, and opened a conversation with the driver.
But success does not always wait on the brave. The van-driver happened to have a temper as short as the Admiral's, and far less reverence.
”Good-morning,” said the Admiral, cheerily.
”Mornin'.”
”What's a-foot to-day?”
”Same as yesterday--twelve inches.”
The Admiral was rather taken aback, but smiled, nevertheless, and persevered.
”Ha, ha! very good. You are a wit, I perceive.”
But the driver's conversation teemed with the unexpected.
”Look 'ere, Ruby-face! give me any more of your sa.s.s an' I'll punch yer 'ed for tuppence.”
This was conclusive. The Admiral struck his flag, re-crossed the street, went indoors, and had it out with Mrs. Buzza. Indeed, at the end of half-an-hour that poor lady's feelings were so overwrought, and, in consequence, her sobs so loud, that the Admiral had perforce to get out his double-ba.s.s and play a selection of martial music to prevent Miss Limpenny's hearing them on the other side of the part.i.tion.
All this happened early in the afternoon. Towards five o'clock Miss Limpenny, who had only left her post twice, and on each occasion to s.n.a.t.c.h a hurried meal, was rewarded for her patience. The front door of ”The Bower” opened, and Mr. and Mrs. Goodwyn-Sandys appeared, dressed, as Miss Limpenny could see, for a walk.
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